Football fans in Bahrain are spending up to BD3,300 ($8707) to attend matches at the World Cup in Brazil as soccer fever grips the kingdom.

Local supplier Unico Tours has already sold 1,320 tickets to people directly and through travel agencies, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

 The number is expected to rise further as more people get their visas ahead of the highly-anticipated tournament, which kicks off on June 12.

Airfare and accommodation costs range between BD1,800 and BD2,500 per person for seven nights, while match day ticket prices range from BD150 to BD800.

"Brazil is not cheap as it costs four times the price of going to a match in any European league or the European Champions League," said Unico Tours founder Maitham Hammad.

"But people are interested as this is the biggest spectacle in the world this year," he stated.

"Most people tend to buy an average of three tickets, especially those travelling in the early days to watch the group stages matches, considering that Ramadan is due to begin either at the end of June or early July," explained Hammad.

"Someone told me that he has been saving for two years, living a monk's life, just to travel to Brazil to watch the host nation play," he added.

Even Honeymooners, families wanting to enjoy a summer vacation and groups of friends will also fly to Brazil to enjoy the event, said the official.

"Bahrainis, who wish to attend the World Cup must have evidence of buying a match ticket to obtain a visa from the Brazilian Embassy in Kuwait," he added.-TradeArabia News Service